The Queen Bee

The Queen Bee

Do you remember your mentor? Did you have one? How did that relationship shape you? Women supporting women has always been at the center of my upbringing and career. Watching my mother build several businesses and observing the obstacles along the way, I was privy to an excellent example of the importance of mentorship and the correlation between that and spiritual growth. Perhaps more strikingly, was the consideration I saw my mother give women who went out of their way to shun or doubt her success as undeserving as they may have been.
Have you ever been in that situation? Where you are shinning so bright it’s hard to see your own reflection in the mirror and suddenly you find yourself having to protect yourself from other women. It’s sorrowful to experience. Sadly, and much to my dismay, I have come to terms with putting these women into categories as a safety mechanism to protect myself from the quarrels of competition and downright cattiness.
It’s the female Alpha Principle. Women who have fought tooth and nail to achieve and have been met with so much opposition to their greatness, that they built a fortress around them forgetting a very core principle. How magnificent is your gift if you can’t share it with the world? It can even be less complex than that. It is almost as if society has made many women feel that there is a competitive threat in the workplace. When we are one of just a small handful of women in a working environment, we may be more likely to be compared with other women; And no one enjoys being compared right? How about the insecure, misguided woman who prefers to see you fail simply out of jealousy because that incessant drive and impressive work ethic that you have makes your light shine so bright, it is but a reminder of her of insecurities. What can you do?
If I have learned anything through the years, it has been to try as best I can to ignore the covetous and suspicious and work on materializing and transforming myself into a woman that wants to share her knowledge and growth with other woman. As my mother taught me. Be that QUEEN BEE. Think about it. What is a main function of a QUEEN BEE? She regulates the unity of her colony. Simple yet complex, she brings them together. Mentoring matters. Women need to lean in and embrace all the wonderful attributes that we encompass individually and use that as a platform to move in the right direction. The direction of growth both on an intellectual and spiritual level. Share your wealth and absorb that of your sister and together we will build.
It is never too late to begin. This process has no class, no age and no timeframe. One little step now can be a catalyst for change. Anyone whose advice you’d value is likely your ally so use the opportunity for a two-way exchange of ideas, professional advice and work jointly for your common success. On the other hand, why not take someone under your wing? This type of collaboration can be eye opening for both of you. Imagine the satisfaction derived from seeing your mentee succeed. Chances are she will pass that on as well and so a new cycle begins. One that will make you stronger professionally and spiritually. Everyone has room for improvement, why not begin today?
If you had a mentor that made a difference, kindly share your story and encourage others to do the same. It all begins with the first step. I hope you are inspired to make a difference.